[06/30/09]
Murata Electronics has announced a tiny RFID (radio frequency identification) chip that will substantially reduce manufacturing complexity and costs for paper tag inlays in asset tracking, retail and supply chain management applications.
Called MAGICSTRAP, the electronic chip can be mounted onto a foil antenna pattern in a paper UHF tag inlay using ordinary non-conductive glue or sticky tape, and requires only minimal placement accuracy so this can even be done by hand.
Compared to existing solutions which require micron-accurate placement onto conductive adhesive or solder by million-dollar machines, MAGICSTRAP enables "Zero Defect" manufacturing of these tags in a quick, easy and flexible way.
While RFID technology has long been discussed in retail and other supply chain management sectors, technology solutions have thus far been expensive and difficult to implement, slowing the adoption of this technology. Murata's background as a manufacturer of world leading components and modules for mobile phone applications during the last 20 years has led to the development of superior module techniques and materials. In MAGICSTRAP Murata has utilised its cutting edge materials knowledge and high-frequency module technology to create a durable, stable and easy RFID solution that will enable widespread adoption of the UHF RFID tags for all applications.
The overall dimensions of the new MAGICSTRAP chip for item level tagging are a tiny 1.6 by 1.2 by 0.25 mm. A typical RFID system inside a paper tag or tag inlay would comprise the MAGICSTRAP chip glued onto an antenna pattern made of thin conductive metal foil. Murata has a standard reference design for this antenna pattern so no prior knowledge or expertise in RFID electronics is necessary for manufacturing the tags.
MAGICSTRAP is readable over the band 860-960MHz with a long read distance of up to 5m. This means the same tag design can be used worldwide (in Europe, the US and Japan), saving inventory for manufacturers. MAGICSTRAP complies with EPC Global Gen 2.
For further information and reader enquiries: visit: www.murata.eu
About Murata
Murata is a leading manufacturer of electronics components, modules, and devices. The complete range of this Ceramics Technology house includes ceramic capacitors, resistors/thermistors, inductors/chokes, ceramic resonators, buzzers, sensors and EMI suppression filters. Whilst the company gets 40% of its revenue from its ceramic capacitor products, it is also the world leader in Bluetooth & WiFi Modules, and a key manufacturer of power supplies. Murata also designs and manufactures mobile handset antenna families, piezoelectric actuators for fuel injection systems, short focal length ceramic lenses and speaker products.
Established in 1944, Murata is headquartered in Japan and has European offices in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Hungary.
For more information on Murata, please visit: www.murata.eu
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